DF Direct Weekly #174: Star Wars Outlaws, EA Sports RT, AMD AFMF 2 Tested, PSVR 2 Discounted! Digital Foundry 2024-10-18 | DF Direct Weekly #174: Star Wars Outlaws, EA Sports RT, AMD AFMF 2 Tested, PSVR 2 Discounted!
Ghost of Tsushima PC - DF Tech Review - PS5 vs PC, Optimised Settings + More Digital Foundry 2024-05-25 | Join Alex Battaglia for this deep dive into the Ghost of Tsushima port for PC - with analysis on features, scalability, comparisons with PS5 and suggestions for Nixxes to make their impressive PC ports even better. Optimised settings - delivering the best balance of bang for the buck - is also included, of course!Thanks to Mohammed Rayan for his help on console comparisons and optimised settings.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00:00 Introduction00:00:21 User Experience, Smoothness, and More00:08:46 Optimised Settings & PC vs PS500:16:08 Conclusion
Senuas Saga Hellblade 2: Xbox Series S/Steam Deck/ROG Ally - High-End Game vs Low-Power Hardware Digital Foundry 2024-05-24 | Digital Foundry's Hellblade 2 coverage continues with a look at how one of the most graphically demanding games holds up on less capable hardware. How does Xbox Series S stack up against the far more powerful Xbox Series X? Is Hellblade 2 sufficiently scalable to run well on handhelds such as Valve's Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally? Cutting-edge graphics tech puts less capable hardware through its paces and the results are fascinating.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Overview00:56 Series S vs Series X06:28 Steam Deck Analysis 11:16 ROG Ally Analysis 13:05 Concluding Thoughts
Senuas Saga: Hellblade 2 - DF Tech Review - The Next Level in Real-Time Visuals Digital Foundry 2024-05-23 | The very first game revealed/announced for Xbox Series X has finally arrived - Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is a very specific kind of narrative experience that may not appeal to everyone, but the tightly focused design opens the door to astonishing level of craft and technology in the visual design. Join John Linneman for a deep dive into the exceptional audio-visual accomplishments of Ninja Theory's latest.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 - Introduction02:27 - What Makes this Special?03:53 - The Character Rendering05:17 - Impressive Details06:28 - Cinematic Effects?08:26 - Resolution09:33 - The Full Fat UE5 Experience12:09 - What about HDR?14:09 - Environmental Effects16:26 - The Beauty of Nanite18:55 - Shadow Quality - VSM in Effect19:42 - Xbox Performance on Series X20:39 - Is 60 fps feasible on Xbox? Plus, PC info!26:02 - The Binaural Audio of Hellblade II28:53 - Comparisons to Gameplay Reveal Trailer31:36 - Wrap-up
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door - DF Switch Review - Brilliant Visuals... At 30FPS Digital Foundry 2024-05-22 | Nintendo returns to its classic library once again to revitalise a brilliant, older game with vastly superior visuals. However, a GameCube original that ran at 60 frames per second only runs at 30fps on Switch. Tom Morgan stacks up the new version of the game up against the original - the visuals are obviously a massive improvement, but to what extent does Paper Mario *need* to be a 60fps game?Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Overview03:03 GameCube vs Switch Visual Upgrades08:47 Performance Testing10:24 Final Thoughts
System Shock Remake - PlayStation 5/ Xbox Series X/S - DF Tech Review Digital Foundry 2024-05-21 | System Shock is a legendary immersive sim and the remake work carried out by the iconic Nightdive Studios is simply exceptional. We've already reviewed the game in-depth last year based on its initial PC release but it's now finally available on last-gen and current-gen consoles. John Linneman focuses on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series versions of the game in this video, tackling the quality of the ports and whether the controller-based interface works well.To learn more about the game, check out John's PC coverage of the remake: youtube.com/watch?v=LjQVf1vxQu0Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 - Introduction01:11 - Why You Should Care02:11 - How Does it Play on Consoles?03:15 - Visual Comparisons05:12 - Weird Xbox Quirk09:38 - It Still Sounds Awesome10:16 - Wrap-up
DF Direct Weekly #163: Ghost of Tsushima PC Tested, Big Changes At Sony, GTA 6 Delay, Red Dead PC! Digital Foundry 2024-05-20 | Another massive episode kicks off with the team sharing initial hands-on impressions of Ghost of Tsushima's impressive PC ports, while big changes are PlayStation are discussed - along with the revelation that half of Sony's monthly active users are still on PS4. Grand Theft Auto 6 is pushed back to later in 2025, and there's the enticing possibility that the original Red Dead Redemption will FINALLY come to PC. Finally, John and Oliver have bought new TVs - and it's looking like a full-on OLED vs LCD shoot-out.Want some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and various items based on DF catchphrases? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netJoin the DF Supporter Program for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to DF Retro, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: bit.ly/3jEGjvxSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeFind DF Direct Weekly as a podcast on your favourite podcast streaming service.0:00:00 Introduction0:00:56 News 01: Ghost of Tsushima PC impressions!0:16:05 News 02: Assassin’s Creed Shadows announced0:25:33 News 03: PlayStation news roundup!0:49:10 News 04: GTA 6 to arrive in fall 20250:55:22 News 05: Red Dead Redemption possibly coming to PC1:02:30 News 06: PO’ed remaster released1:12:13 News 07: John and Oliver’s new TVs!1:28:42 Supporter Q1: Will the changes to Xbox strategy reduce console competition? 1:36:49 Supporter Q2: Does an Xbox-PC hybrid really make sense? 1:43:49 Supporter Q3: Could Nvidia’s rumoured ARM handheld SoC wipe the floor with Nintendo and Valve? 1:48:50 Supporter Q4: Are there gaming applications for OpenAI’s recently revealed AI tech?1:52:40 Supporter Q5: What are your most highly anticipated games for the rest of the year in terms of tech?1:56:21 Supporter Q6: How do you prefer to set up your PC displays when gaming? 1:58:54 Supporter Q7: What are your thoughts on producing repeated videos on games that are delivered in a subpar state? 2:04:25 Supporter Q8: What’s the latest gaming and tech news you’ve enjoyed?
Zelda 64 Recompiled: A Revolution In N64 Native Ports For PC Digital Foundry 2024-05-18 | We've seen recompilation projects before - and Nintendo 64 titles have received more than their fair share of them - but Zelda 64 Recompiled takes this to the next level. Alex Battaglia goes in depth on Zelda 64 Recompiled, essentially a new native PC port of Majora's Mask, reveals how it works, how accurate it is, how modern hardware offers so many more options and looks forward to what this project means for N64 games on PC going forward.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00:00 Introduction00:02:00 Why is Zelda64Recomp revolutionary?00:06:00 Nintendo 64 vs. Zelda64Recomp00:09:31 Sound and Performance00:12:06 Conclusion
Starfield Performance Upgrade - 40FPS, 60FPS, VRR And More - The Complete Breakdown Digital Foundry 2024-05-15 | Digital Foundry had early access to the display mode update for Starfield, and we've put together this detailed report on the various performance options and visual settings choices available. While Bethesda recommends a 120Hz display with VRR (as do we actually!), there's a wealth of viable options for those with standard 60Hz screens with no variable refresh rate support... and major cities apart, the game does a good job of hitting 60 frames per second.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Overview00:48 Visual Differences05:57 Performance Testing11:43 Analysis and Conclusion
Fallout 4 Next-Gen Upgrade Patched: Fixed on Xbox, Improved on PS5 - But Issues Remain Digital Foundry 2024-05-14 | Fallout 4's 'next-gen' upgrade launched with a range of issues - not least that the quality mode didn't work on Xbox consoles. Bethesda Game Studios has fixed that issue, but actually opened the door to a whole range of quality vs performance options - and added those options to PlayStation 5 as well. Tom Morgan re-reviews the upgrade with a comprehensive range of testing, finding that the new options are welcome - but the intrusive hitching isn't and needs addressing.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 - Introduction02:07 - Is the Xbox Series X/S Graphics Mode Toggle Fixed?03:32 - PS5 versus Xbox Series X/S Visuals Mode Comparison06:48 - The Benefits of Running at 30FPS Over 60FPS08:28 - 1440p and 120Hz Output Modes Tested09:48 - Performance on Xbox Series X14:02 - Performance on Xbox Series S16:05 - Performance on PS518:00 - Final Thoughts
DF Direct Weekly #162: Xbox Studio Shutdown Crisis, Switch 2 Confirmed, ROG Ally X Specs Reaction Digital Foundry 2024-05-13 | There's anger, bafflement and frustration this week as John, Rich and Alex discuss Microsoft's decision to close one studio that created one of the greatest immersive games ever made and another studio that's just delivered a BAFTA-winning, critically acclaimed rhythm action game... so what is going on at Xbox right now? Beyond that, the team discuss the latest Switch 2 revelations, the new Asus ROG - or R.O.G. - Ally, Hellblade 2 PC specs and Sony's massive Helldivers 2 own-goal. Want some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and various items based on DF catchphrases? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netJoin the DF Supporter Program for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to DF Retro, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: bit.ly/3jEGjvxSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeFind DF Direct Weekly as a podcast on your favourite podcast streaming service0:00:00 Introduction0:01:38 News 01: Microsoft shutters Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin0:44:37 News 02: Nintendo confirms Switch sequel, potential components uncovered1:03:42 News 03: Asus announces new ROG Ally1:16:13 News 04: Sony backtracks on Helldivers 2 PC PSN requirements1:25:25 News 05: Ninja Theory reveal Hellblade 2 PC specs1:36:15 News 06: Sand Land released!1:44:17 Supporter Q1: Could the Switch 2 connect to a TV wirelessly?1:46:52 Supporter Q2: How much longevity will video cards with 8-10 GB of VRAM have?1:53:41 Supporter Q3: Should next gen consoles have much larger RAM allotments?1:57:40 Supporter Q4: Do you think mouse and keyboard support will become more common on consoles?2:00:49 Supporter Q5: How feasible is it to update an older UE5 game to UE 5.4? 2:03:50 Supporter Q6: Could Intel beat AMD in discrete GPU sales by 2029?2:06:40 Supporter Q7: What’s your favourite immersive sim, and why is it Prey (2017)?
Pennys Big Breakaway DF Review: 4K 120FPS Perfection on PS5/Xbox Series X/S - All Consoles Tested! Digital Foundry 2024-05-12 | Penny's Big Breakaway is one of the best games of the year - brought to us by the developers of the stunning Sonic Mania. Evening Star does for 3D platforming what Sonic Mania did for 2D, offering up a fresh new take on the genre, delivered by flawless technology. John Linneman describes what makes the game so special, how the various consoles - and PC - stack up, and reveals a curious performance-enhancing tip for Switch users we've never seen before, that seems exclusive to this game.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 - What Makes this Game So Good?02:15 - The Gameplay - Sonic Physics in 3D04:42 - The Three Pillars of Platforming Perfection04:55 - The Graphics - Star Engine Shines08:45 - Platform Comparison09:59 - Performance on Switch13:48 - Sound and Music14:19 - Listen to the Awesome Soundtrack17:37 - Let's Wrap This Up
Mobile Gaming Face-Off: Nintendo Switch vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Digital Foundry 2024-05-11 | Vintage 2015 Nvidia silicon takes on Apple's state-of-the-art 2023 offering as Nintendo Switch is stacked up and compared against iPhone 15 Pro in a range of games. It should be a whitewash in a world where the Apple phone is running the likes of Resident Evil 4 and Death Stranding, but iPhone developers need to accommodate a range of iOS devices, while even the iPhone 15 Pro has to operate with a lower power budget and no active cooling. Oliver Mackenzie delivers this fascinating head-to-head.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Overview01:14 Grid Autosport02:44 GTA Definitive Editions04:07 Horizon Chase 205:31 Wreckfest06:48 Alien: Isolation08:56 Setup and docked play11:22 Analysis and conclusion
Unreal Engine 5.4: Big Performance Improvements, New Features, But What About #StutterStruggle? Digital Foundry 2024-05-10 | Progress with Unreal Engine 5 continues apace with the latest 5.4 revision of the engine, delivering big performance increases and new features, including improvements to ray tracing. Epic's also trying to tackle #StutterStruggle, but to what extend has it succeeded, both in demo software and in Fortnite - the firm's Unreal Engine Showcase?Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00:00 Introduction00:00:41 CPU Performance: 5.0 vs. 5.400:06:33 #StutterStruggle?00:12:03 Visual Improvements in UE500:15:54 The Future and the Conclusion
Final Fantasy 14 Arrives on Xbox Series X/S + PS5 Update - DF Tech Review Digital Foundry 2024-05-09 | Final Fantasy 14 arrives on Xbox Series X/S consoles, mere months before the arrival of a major graphics overhaul. Guest present Marc 'Try4ce' Duddleson - an expert on the game - brings us up to date on the game after his prior 2021 video, checks out the Xbox Series X and Series S versions in depth and analyses every single graphics mode variation... and there are certainly plenty of them! How does the new Xbox version stack up? Are our issues with the PS5 version resolved? It's all here in a mammoth 40 minute review.Check out Marc's original FF14 video, covering the history of the series from conception to 2021's PS5 release: youtu.be/trIiUXdEyo0 Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 - Intro01:54 - Version 7.0 preview05:05 - Optimizations from version 6.210:07 - Xbox version overview13:13 - Basic performance testing15:58 - 2160p performance and VRR20:43 - Edge-case stress tests22:51 - 24-player performance testing26:15 - Beta dynamic resolution scaling28:36 - Loading comparisons30:41 - Hangups in instances on Xbox?34:35 - Enforced profanity filter on Xbox?37:07 - Conclusion
DF Direct Weekly #161: Starfield Performance Upgrade, PS5 Pro GPU Info, New Switch 2 Reports Digital Foundry 2024-05-06 | The latest DF Direct Weekly sees Rich, Oliver and Alex at the mics (John returns in the next episode!) discussing Bethesda's unique approach to Starfield's upcoming display mode upgrades, while there's concern about the health of console gaming in the wake of poor AMD gaming revenue. Rich talks PS5 Pro GPU details - including caches, clock speeds and features - while the latest Switch 2 rumours and reports are assessed for their plausibility. There's genuine excitement over AMD's new Strix Point and Strix Halo APUs, while Alex goes into depth about all the path-tracing features now unearthed in Capcom RE Engine games. Want some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netJoin the DF Supporter Program for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to DF Retro, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: bit.ly/3jEGjvxSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeFind DF Direct Weekly as a podcast on your favourite podcast streaming service.0:00:00 Introduction0:01:41 News 01: Bethesda announces big Starfield update0:23:05 News 02: AMD sees massive gaming revenue decline0:40:14 News 03: New PS5 Pro GPU details!0:58:27 News 04: Switch 2 rumour roundup1:07:40 News 05: RTX Remix getting DLSS 3.5 Ray Reconstruction1:16:02 News 06: Resident Evil titles get path tracing!1:27:14 News 07: AMD Strix APUs pack great integrated GPU performance1:35:06 Supporter Q1: Could Nintendo games use DLSS 2 to reach 4K output on Switch 2?1:40:23 Supporter Q2: What features would you add to Switch 2, if you could pick anything?1:45:25 Supporter Q3: Could the potential merging of Xbox and PC development hurt Xbox?1:50:13 Supporter Q4: Could developers run a game’s logic at high rates to improve responsiveness, while keeping frame-rate untouched? 1:54:19 Supporter Q5: Gaming handhelds theoretically seem as fast as a Series S. Why are they slower in practice? 1:57:40 Supporter Q6: Could Valve build a viable console platform to compete with Sony?2:03:16 Supporter Q7: If you had to pick between #StutterStruggle and FSR 2 artifacts, which would you pick?
DF Retro Marathon: The Gran Turismo Saga - The Classic PS1/PS2 Era Revisited Digital Foundry 2024-05-05 | In a marathon 113 minute video, combining two DF Retro episodes, 'remastered' at 4K, John Linneman goes back in time to the original PlayStation era, revisiting the origins of Polyphony Digital, the debut of the first Gran Turismo on PS1, the evolution of the game and its technology onto PS2 - plus how industry rivals scrambled to compete with The Real Driving Simulator.00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:48 - Chapter 1 - The Birth of Sim Racing00:08:57 - Chapter 2 - The Real Driving Simulator00:21:40 - Chapter 3 - Of Mecha and Men00:28:38 - Chapter 4 - The Perfect Sequel00:43:08 - Chapter 5 - PlayStation 200:55:37 - Chapter 6 - Polyphony Unleashed01:16:15 - Chapter 7 - Driving the Next Generation01:34:44 - Chapter 8 - Fourth GearThe DF Supporter Program needs you: join up to make content like this possible, for behind the scenes content, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more - including pristine quality downloads of everything we do: bit.ly/3jEGjvxSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net
OMEN Transcend 14: High-End Gaming on a Thin & Light Notebook [Sponsored] Digital Foundry 2024-05-04 | Video sponsored by OMEN. The OMEN Transcend 14 is a 14-inch thin and light laptop with the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, paired with Nvidia's RTX 4070 in 65W form - so to what extent can it game? By combining console-class optimised settings, Nvidia DLSS spatial upscaling and even frame generation, we can achieve PS5-class visual features and more - with ray tracing and even path-tracing in the mix. All PC capture in this video taken directly from the OMEN Transcend 14.Learn more about the OMEN Transcend 14: bit.ly/3QxLlfzCyberpunk 2077 Path Tracing Optimisation Mod: nexusmods.com/cyberpunk2077/mods/8059 Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Introduction01:14 The OMEN Transcend 1402:46 Optimised Game Set-Up vs Handheld & Consoles04:44 Battery Life vs PC Handhelds inc. Asus ROG Ally06:56 Gaming - Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora08:59 Gaming - Alan Wake 211:22 Gaming - Fortnite on Unreal Engine 512:00 Gaming - Horizon Forbidden West13:48 Gaming - Cyberpunk 207717:59 Gaming - Control19:06 Gaming Summary20:17 And Now, The Conclusion#OMENTranscend14 #RTXOn #FramesWinGames
Fallout 4 Next-Gen Upgrade - DF Tech Review - The Good, The Bad & The Bugged Digital Foundry 2024-05-03 | Fallout 4 is back, transitioning to Xbox Series X and S consoles along with PlayStation 5. New quality and performance modes are added, so how do they stack up - and is the promise of ultra settings delivered? Meanwhile, what's the score with the PC version? Tom Morgan takes a look.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 - Intro01:38 - PC Ultrawide Issues and PhysX Crashes03:12 - Xbox Series X and S Mode Selection Bug04:31 - PS5 vs Series X and S Graphics Comparison06:04 - PC Ultra Settings Compared to Console07:44 - Xbox Series X/S Analysis10:35 - PS5 Analysis Tested14:10 - Conclusion
Steam Deck Ray Tracing vs Asus ROG Ally: It Works But Should You Use It? Digital Foundry 2024-05-01 | With meagre power budgets and sub-Xbox Series S performance, ray tracing is going to be simply too much for PC handhelds like Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally, right? Right? It turns out that decent results are possible! In this video, Oliver Mackenzie looks at a range of RT titles on Steam Deck, stacks up SteamOS RT vs Windows 11 and brings in the powerhouse that is the Asus ROG Ally to see how much performance improves still further. Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Overview01:16 Steam Deck07:10 ROG Ally and Windows testing 12:10 Analysis and conclusion
DF Direct Weekly #160: Fallout 4 Upgrade Issues, Avatar 40fps Tested, Paper Mario Switch Preview Digital Foundry 2024-04-29 | In this 160th edition, it's Tom Morgan joining Rich and Alex to discuss the latest gaming and technology news. There's good news and bad news with Fallout 4's new 'next-gen' upgrade, Rich is impressed with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora's new 40fps mode for PS5 and Series X, while Alex talks us through the latest path-tracing innovations revealed at GDC and GTC. Tom shares his impressions on Paper Mario for Nintendo Switch, Rich tests frame-gen on ROG Ally - and are Lords of the Fallen's tech issues resolved in the newly released patch 1.5?Want some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netJoin the DF Supporter Program for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to DF Retro, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: bit.ly/3jEGjvxSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeFind DF Direct Weekly as a podcast on your favourite podcast streaming service.0:00:00 Introduction0:01:57 News 01: Fallout 4 gets mixed current-gen upgrade0:22:14 News 02: Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora gets 40fps mode0:38:07 News 03: Lords of the Fallen receives performance boost0:49:12 News 04: Alex dives deep into game tech1:11:56 News 05: ROG Ally updated with AFMF tech1:22:08 News 06: Paper Mario preview!1:29:31 Supporter Q1: Could frame gen be used to scale a game from 40fps to 120fps, and then decimate it to 60fps?1:34:07 Supporter Q2: Why are some Microsoft games exhibiting different settings on PS5 relative to Series X?1:42:49 Supporter Q3: Do you prefer Doom 1993 or Doom 2016?1:47:11 Supporter Q4: Is sampler feedback the Series S savior? And is the PS5 API better than Microsoft’s?1:53:07 Supporter Q5: Is the PS4’s continued developer support a problem for Sony?2:00:13 Supporter Q6: Could the Switch 2 have an image quality advantage over PC gaming handhelds?2:05:35 Supporter Q7: Are 13900K and 14900K processors really unstable?2:10:54 Supporter Q8: What would a Republic of Gamers look like?
Dragons Dogma 2 Path Tracing: Its Real, It Works And Heres How It Looks Digital Foundry 2024-04-27 | This week, we were approached by modder EXXXcellent with something remarkable: the existence of a path tracing renderer within Dragon's Dogma 2. The technology is far from a shippable state for gamers, but it is there, it works and it looks terrific. In this video, Alex Battaglia shows you the path-traced renderer in action, how to install EXXXcellent's mod and speculates on why the renderer is in there in the first place. Find the mod here: nexusmods.com/dragonsdogma2/mods/693?tab=images Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net
Handheld PC Triple-A Gaming: Lenovo Legion Go vs OneXPlayer 2 Pro vs AyaNeo Kun vs Asus ROG Ally Digital Foundry 2024-04-25 | With the cross-gen era now mostly behind us, we're starting to see games like Alan Wake 2 and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora push boundaries on current-gen machines... so how do the most advanced PC handhelds hold up? Are they capable of delivering a decent experience on this new breed of demanding game? Rich examines the Lenovo Legion Go, OneXPlayer 2 and AyaNeo Kun and sees how they fare against each other - and the most cutting-edge games.Find the OneXPlayer 2 Pro here: onexplayerstore.com/products/onexplayer-2-pro?variant=45699781001510OneXPlayer 2 Pro Amazon Store here: amazon.com/dp/B0CPSMBPCTNOTE: The OneXPlayer 2 Pro has 32GB of RAM, which seems to help a great deal with Avatar Frontiers of Pandora, which does not run as well on 16GB systems like the ASUS Rog Ally.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Introduction00:52 Lenovo Legion Go vs OneXPlayer 2 Pro vs AyaNeo Kun04:11 Benchmarks: The 15W Shoot-Out06:39 Benchmarks: The 25W Sweet Spot10:07 Benchmarks: Power Scaling To 54W With AyaNeo Kun11:34 Battery Life Face-Off13:47 Gameplay: Introduction14:41 Gameplay: Alan Wake 217:38 Gameplay: Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora19:45 Gameplay: Horizon Forbidden West - Burning Shores21:51 Handheld Face-Off: Thoughts So Far25:11 And Now, The Conclusion
Stellar Blade PS5 - Digital Foundry Tech Review - An Ultra-Polished Action Game Digital Foundry 2024-04-24 | Stellar Blade has finally arrived for PlayStation 5 and we're delighted to say that this is an ultra-polished, highly enjoyable action game. Based on Unreal Engine 4, developer Shift Up isn't rewriting the technological rulebook in any way - but what is delivered is nigh-on flawless within its ambition. It's something of a tonic in a world where so many games ship with issues, requiring multiple patches to address. John Linneman has the DF tech review for you.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 - Introduction01:15 - A Strong Presentation04:01 - Graphics Options04:29 - HDR Settings05:13 - Stunning Visual Design06:18 - Visual Flourishes10:04 - Mode Comparisons11:52 - Frame-Rate Analysis13:49 - Final Thoughts
Grounded Tech Review - Problems on PS5 and Switch - All Consoles Tested Digital Foundry 2024-04-23 | Developer Obsidian's garden-themed survival game crosses over to PS5 and Nintendo Switch - though with issues on each at launch. Grounded is one of the first wave of Xbox exclusive titles to release on the competing PS5 platform, along with Hi Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves and Pentiment - but here again we see odd differences in shadow quality and object draw on Sony's machine - with an impact on its performance.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Introduction02:24 PS5/Xbox Series X|S Graphics Comparison09:33 Xbox Series X|S Frame-Rate Test10:48 PS5 Frame-Rate Test12:16 Switch Graphics Comparison15:03 Switch Frame-Rate Test16:21 Verdict
DF Direct Weekly #159: PS5 Pro Ultra Boost Mode, Ghost of Tsushima PC Specs, Kingdom Come 2 Digital Foundry 2024-04-22 | PS5 Pro... ultra boost mode? Rich, Oliver and Alex discuss the possibilities of how Sony's new console can improve existing games, before moving on to discussion of Ghost of Tsushima's PC specs and the 'PlayStation Overlay'. The team mull over the highly attractive Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 trailer, Oliver tests emulation on Apple while Rich gets to grips with GeForce Now's G-Sync support. And as for Alex? How about a 20-minute monologue on Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora's remarkable tech disclosures?Want some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netJoin the DF Supporter Program for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to DF Retro, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: bit.ly/3jEGjvxSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeFind DF Direct Weekly as a podcast on your favourite podcast streaming service.0:00:00 Introduction0:02:16 News 01: PS5 Pro to receive “ultra boost mode”0:15:50 News 02: Ghost of Tsushima PC requirements announced0:31:05 News 03: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 revealed0:38:38 News 04: Avatar devs disclose game tech1:00:17 News 05: Hands-on with GeForce Now G-Sync 1:09:56 News 06: Apple opens the emulator floodgates! 1:18:45 Supporter Q1: What does a more PC-like console look like? Would it be worthwhile?1:28:25 Supporter Q2: How could a 5090 improve on today’s gaming experiences? 1:36:16 Supporter Q3: Why can’t Nvidia obtain an x86 license and create x86 CPUs?1:40:38 Supporter Q4: Will The Last of Us Remastered get a PS5 Pro remaster?1:42:32 Supporter Q5: What are your most anticipated PS5 Pro patches to existing games?1:48:36 Supporter Q6: Will Sony release their exclusives on PC on the same day as PS5?1:55:07 Supporter Q7: Can FSR 3.1 save this console generation’s image quality?2:03:36 Supporter Q8: If DF released a console motherboard shirt, would Alex wear it?
DF Retro Marathon - Water Rendering In Games - The H2O Special Digital Foundry 2024-04-21 | Our run of DF Retro Marathons - combining multi-part DF Retro episodes into single videos - continues, with John's water rendering special 'remastered' into 4K for improved YouTube video playback. In this episode, we're looking at the evolution of water rendering across the generations, singling out particularly special games and the various techniques used.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads - and to make epic videos like this possible: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net
Sea of Thieves Goes Multi-Plat: PS5 and Xbox Series X/S Tested! Digital Foundry 2024-04-20 | Sea of Thieves is coming to PlayStation 5 and with a beta test running last weekend, we had a chance to take look at the near-final build for the Sony console, to see how it looks and runs compared to Xbox Series X. And as we never covered the Series-native upgrade for Microsoft consoles, this was a good time to check that out too - and there are even some Xbox One X/PC head-to-heads in there too. Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Overview00:43 Visual Settings Comparison05:42 Performance08:55 Graphical Features and Conclusion
No Rest for the Wicked - Moon Studios Stunning Tech Evolution - DF First Look Digital Foundry 2024-04-18 | Moon Studios - the creators of Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps - have finally returned with a spectacular new game, No Rest for the Wicked. Available now on Early Access for PC users in preview form, John Linneman had had the game for a couple of weeks, offering up this extensive preview on the latest iteration of the 'Moonity' engine along with his thoughts on the game so far.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 - Introduction02:16 - The Basics04:06 - Curved World05:39 - Lighting and Shadow07:25 - World in Motion11:01 - Future Effects13:01 - Performance and Options Menu15:56 - Final Thoughts
Image Quality Enhanced: DLSS 3.7 vs XeSS 1.3 vs FSR 2 - ML Upscaling Just Got Better Digital Foundry 2024-04-16 | With the arrival of DLSS 3.7 and XeSS 1.3, machine learning-based upscaling has improved once again, with the gulf vs FSR 2 (aka FSR 3 spatial upscaling) widening still further. Alex takes a look at what XeSS 1.3 brings to the table, along with Intel's revamped preset naming, while examining the improvements that DLSS 3.7's new 'E' option offer vs existing offerings. We'll be looking at FSR 3.1 as and when the new update lands.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00:00 Introduction00:00:41 Intel XeSS 1.3 Analysis00:12:20 Nvidia DLSS 3.7 Analysis00:15:40 FSR2 vs XeSS 1.3 vs DLSS 3.700:18:47 ConclusionNV Profile Inspector:github.com/Orbmu2k/nvidiaProfileInspector/releasesXML Files for NV Profile Inspector:nexusmods.com/site/mods/781?tab=files&file_id=2992
DF Direct Weekly #158: Xbox Forward Compatibility, Fallout 4 Upgrade, FSR 3 on Consoles Digital Foundry 2024-04-15 | What's going on with Microsoft's new game preservation team and commitment to forward compatibility? Alex, Rich and Oliver rake over the details - such as they are. Meanwhile, there's discussion over Fallout 4's upcoming current-gen upgrade, while the new Star Wars Outlaws story trailer gets the DF breakdown. And with FSR 3 frame-gen coming to consoles with Immortals of Aveum, what sort of expectation level should be set? Want some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netJoin the DF Supporter Program for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to DF Retro, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: bit.ly/3jEGjvxSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeFind DF Direct Weekly as a podcast on your favourite podcast streaming service.0:00:00 Introduction and DF Merch0:01:39 News 01: Xbox establishes game preservation team0:20:26 News 02: Fallout 4 getting current gen upgrade 0:30:03 News 03: Star Wars Outlaws story trailer drops0:46:10 News 04: Dead Space is dead!0:53:56 News 05: Immortals of Aveum gets FSR 3 boost on consoles1:08:29 Supporter Q1: Can you get console-like convenience on a PC?1:16:12 Supporter Q2: Is the PS5 Pro’s CPU boost enough to bring a 30fps game to 40fps?1:20:23 Supporter Q3: Are modern games too ‘fake’, with their reliance on upsampling and frame gen?1:26:40 Supporter Q4: Could RT be losing traction with upcoming games?1:34:38 Supporter Q5: Could Microsoft launch a Series S-matching handheld this holiday season?1:42:06 Supporter Q6: What does Microsoft mean when they claim the next Xbox will have the biggest tech leap in a generation?1:52:06 Supporter Q7: Should we be happy that more games are targeting 30fps on the consoles?1:57:57 Supporter Q8: How powerful will the Switch 2 be relative to the Steam Deck and Series S?
Alone in the Dark - PS5/Xbox Series X/S Tech Review - A Survival Horror Classic Revamped Digital Foundry 2024-04-13 | The original Alone in the Dark - hailing all the way back from 1992 - is re-imagined with Unreal Engine 4. The story and puzzle elements are dramatically overhauled, where PS5, Series X and S strive for 60fps gameplay in a decent performance mode. However there are technical rough points to this release which detract from what could be a much better game.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Intro/1992 Original Retrospective02:38 Visual Features04:50 Image Quality Comparisons06:45 Frame-Rate tests12:06 Analysis and Conclusion
DF Retro Marathon: The Sega 32X Failure - Every Game Tested Digital Foundry 2024-04-12 | This compilation video compiles two DF Retro episodes into a single, 75 minute video and forms part of our brand new, DF Retro Marathon playlist.This episode takes us well back into the archives. Return with us to 2018, where a younger, fresh-faced John Linneman gets to grips with the problematic history of the Genesis 32X/ Mega Drive 32X - before beginning a relentless deep dive begins into the system's ENTIRE LIBRARY of games. How did the peripheral actually work? What parts of the game were rendered with Genesis and which parts were handled by 32X? The results are often surprising.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads - and to make epic videos like this possible: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.netSega 32X thumbnail photography by Evan-Amos, license here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32X#/media/File:Sega-Genesis-Model-2-Monster-Bare.jpg
Hellblade 2 Preview Reaction: The New State Of The Art For Unreal Engine 5? Digital Foundry 2024-04-10 | It's been difficult to get to grips with Hellblade 2's previous reveals - the quality of the presentation is not a good match for YouTube compression. However, direct feed capture from Microsoft is of a much higher quality and we recently received the raw asset. So, this is what we make of the game's presentation based on the most recent materials and it's looking seriously impressive. Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Overview00:41 Visual Features05:05 Image Quality and Performance08:04 Analysis and Conclusion
DF Direct Weekly #157: Hellblade 2 Reaction, PS Portal Hack, Ambitious XeSS Improvements Digital Foundry 2024-04-08 | A wide range of Hellblade 2 previews emerged last week, but what have we learned about the game and is the dynamic resolution 30fps revelation in any way surprising? John, Rich and Alex share their thoughts while also sharing reactions to the latest chapter in the PS Portal hack story and Nightdive's POed remaster non-April fool. Alex shares news of his experiments with Intel's PresentMon 2.0 - and how it will change our PC games and hardware coverage - while there's intrigue and some level of excitement surrounding Intel's latest XeSS news.Find DF Direct Weekly as a podcast on your favourite podcast streaming service.Join the DF Supporter Program for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to DF Retro, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: bit.ly/3jEGjvxSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.net0:00:00 Introduction0:01:04 News 01: Hellblade 2 previews drop!0:26:53 News 02: PS Portal hack patched before release0:34:41 News 03: 90s FPS PO'ed getting Nightdive remaster0:41:07 News 04: C-Smash VRS hits Meta Quest0:52:03 News 05: Alex’s PresentMon experiments1:06:57 News 06: Campaign demands: stop killing games!1:16:19 News 07: Intel updates XeSS with revised modes1:22:04 Supporter Q1: Would it be more practical to target 1440p than 4K for performance modes?1:28:11 Supporter Q2: Dragon’s Dogma 2 has unimpressive NPC density, so why can’t it hit 60fps on consoles?1:35:17 Supporter Q3: Why do some developers implement incorrect 30fps frame-rate caps?1:43:36 Supporter Q4: Why isn’t low frame-rate compensation the default with 120Hz and VRR on PS5? 1:50:05 Supporter Q5: Could the PS5 Pro be powerful enough to run advanced path traced games?1:55:04 Supporter Q6: With Microsoft potentially opening Xbox to third parties, was the 3DO approach right all along? 2:01:21 Supporter Q7: Would it have been better to forgo the PS5 Pro and instead shorten this console generation?
DF Retro Marathon: PlayStation 3 - The 1080p Dream - Every Full HD Game Tested! Digital Foundry 2024-04-06 | This compilation video compiles three DF Retro episodes into a single, 197 minute marathon. It's the biggest Digital Foundry video we've ever made.In an era defined by sub-HD resolutions and 'challenging' performance, the concept of PlayStation 3 delivering on its promised 1080p dream seems almost ridiculous. And it's true that only a tiny proportion of the library rendered at full HD. And yet, in this DF Retro Special, 85 games are tested - and a majority of them target 60fps! Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads - and to make epic videos like this possible: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00:00 Introduction00:02:26 Chapter 1 - The Future00:06:16 The Launch Games00:18:39 The Rest of 200600:25:46 Chapter 2 - The Year 200700:56:53 Chapter 3 - Royal Rumble01:25:06 Chapter 4 - It Only Does Everything01:38:21 Chapter 5 - On the Move01:52:17 Chapter 6 - Long Live Play02:16:09 Chapter 7 - 201202:29:27 Chapter 8 - End of an Era02:56:28 The Finale
Stellar Blade Demo - PS5 First Impressions - Every Mode Tested! Digital Foundry 2024-04-05 | Coming from South Korean developer Shift Up, Stellar Blade is the team's very first effort in the AAA console space and an excellent one at that. As a PS5 exclusive the comparisons boil down to three graphics modes today, where the demo build reveals the balanced mode offers up the best trade between 60fps performance and image quality. Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Intro01:30 Tech Overview06:34 Mode Comparisons09:12 Balanced mode frame-rate test10:11 Performance mode frame-rate test11:24 Resolution mode frame-rate test12:41 Verdict
Dragons Dogma 2: Does The New Patch Fix The Game? All Systems Tested Digital Foundry 2024-04-04 | Dragon's Dogma 2 launched with a range of issues - most notably inconsistent frame-rates, extremely heavy CPU limitations and broken checkerboarding on Xbox Series consoles. A new patch recently arrived that delivers a lot of welcome changes - but key issues still need to be addressed. Oliver Mackenzie reports on this one.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Overview00:50 Xbox Series X05:28 PlayStation 507:23 Xbox Series S and PC09:35 Analysis and Conclusion
DF Direct Weekly #156: Xbox Handheld, Series X All-Digital, Xbox Hosting Third Party Stores Digital Foundry 2024-04-01 | This week's show is dominated by Xbox news in the wake of a new interview with Phil Spencer strongly indicating a big change in direction for the Xbox platform and by extension, its hardware. There's also talk of what form an Xbox handheld may take, while leaked photography of a white Xbox Series X 'All Digital' console brings about bafflement from the team. Watch John's excellent DF Retro Outcast video here: youtu.be/xgSCu7QpUiMFind DF Direct Weekly as a podcast on your favourite podcast streaming service.Join the DF Supporter Program for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to DF Retro, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: bit.ly/3jEGjvxSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.net0:00:00 Introduction0:00:50 News 01: Phil Spencer wants other game stores on Xbox0:30:36 News 02: Phil Spencer’s gaming handheld wishlist0:44:21 News 03: White digital-only Series X leaks0:55:32 News 04: Testing Outcast performance1:13:31 News 05: Sunsoft’s Uforia: The Saga 2 released!1:20:26 Supporter Q1: Are Switch cartridges or Blu-ray discs better for long term preservation?1:27:25 Supporter Q2: What do you make of claims that developers are considering dropping Xbox support?1:33:33 Supporter Q3: Why didn’t Sony upgrade the CPU further on PS5 Pro?1:40:43 Supporter Q4: How would Microsoft’s cloud technology be leveraged in a next-gen console?1:47:59 Supporter Q5: Could Switch 2 receive games at a slower pace than the original Switch?1:54:39 Supporter Q6: Is Nvidia’s market dominance a bad thing for competition?
DF Retro Marathon: Sony PlayStation/ PSOne - Every Launch Game Tested! Digital Foundry 2024-03-31 | Bringing together three prior DF Retro episodes for a long-play marathon video spanning a massive two hours and 46 minutes, John Linneman and Audi Sorlie revisit the launch of the Sony PlayStation from its origins in Japan to its eventual rollout across the globe - and in the process, assess every single launch title in all three territories, stacking them up against other versions on other systems. It's coverage without compromise. This is DF Retro.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads - and to make epic videos like this possible: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00:00 Introduction00:01:33 Chapter 1: Interactive Origins (Making of PlayStation)00:09:05 Chapter 2: PlayStation arrives in Japan (Japanese launch games)00:12:18 Ridge Racer00:18:56 Gokujyou Parodius Da! Deluxe Pack00:26:19 TAMA: Adventurous Ball in Giddy Labyrinth00:29:39 Crime Crackers00:35:33 A IV Evolution00:38:09 Nekketsu Oyako00:43:50 Mahjong Madness00:48:52 Chapter 3: Journey to the West (Launching PlayStation in North America)00:52:28 Chapter 4: The American Dream (North American launch games)00:54:43 Total Eclipse Turbo01:00:19 Battle Arena Toshinden01:06:27 Rayman01:17:00 Street Fighter: The Movie01:26:21 The Raiden Project01:30:53 NBA Jam T.E.01:43:35 Power Server 3D Tennis01:46:17 ESPN Extreme Games01:51:55 Kileak: The DNA Imperative 01:57:47 Chapter 5: To a New World (Launching PlayStation in Europe)02:05:06 Chapter 6: Your European PAL (European launch games)02:07:45 Wipeout02:15:08 Air Combat02:17:20 Rapid Reload/Gunner's Heaven02:25:24 Novastorm02:32:03 Jumping Flash!02:38:35 Lemmings 3D02:42:54 Ending02:44:41 Credits
Hi-Fi Rush PS5 Review + Xbox Multi-Platform Releases - The Story So Far Digital Foundry 2024-03-30 | Hi-Fi Rush has arrived on PlayStation 5 and it's an excellent port of the original Xbox Series X and PC games... with slightly improved shadows. Tom Morgan reminds us of how great this game is, and examines Xbox's multi-platform record so far. From Ghostwire: Tokyo's Xbox issues to Pentiment receiving 120Hz support on PS5 first, surely Microsoft's flagship console should automatically be the best place to play its games and the first platform to receive new features? Great games get a wider audience now and that's a great thing - but Xbox needs to dot all the Is and cross all the Ts a little more carefully.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Introduction03:02 Hi-Fi Rush: Slightly Improved Visuals on PS5?05:24 The Multi-Plat Story So Far: Ghostwire Tokyo06:47 The Multi-Plat Story So Far: Pentiment08:50 Series X vs PS5: Which Is The More Powerful?11:13 Hi-Fi Rush Is Exceptional On All Systems
Horizon Forbidden West PC - Optimised Settings vs PS5 - The DF Breakdown Digital Foundry 2024-03-28 | We're rounding off our coverage for Horizon Forbidden West's impressive PC port with a look at optimised settings, how they stack up against PlayStation 5 and what kind of performance wins you should expect. On top of that, there's disappointment with the current performance on Steam Deck, while Alex also offers up some suggestions for future patches.At-a-glance optimised and PS5 settings tables here: eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2024-horizon-forbidden-west-the-best-pc-settings-look-a-lot-like-guerrillas-choices-for-playstation-5Read our interview with Guerrilla Games and Nixxes here: eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2024-the-big-horizon-forbidden-west-pc-tech-interviewSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00:00 Introduction00:00:29 Optimised Settings00:08:29 Can you play on Steam Deck?00:11:19 Upscaling Quality and Frame Generation00:13:36 Conclusion
Rise of the Ronin - PS5 Tech Review - A Superb Action RPG... But Can It Sustain 60FPS? Digital Foundry 2024-03-26 | Digital Foundry is sponsored by MSI's new range of next-gen QD OLED gaming monitors. Learn more about these displays here: https://msi.gm/QD-OLEDsClick here for your chance to win a MSI 271QRX 360Hz QD OLED (UK only): https://msi.gm/QD-OLED-GiveawayDeveloper Team Ninja returns once more with its excellent combat design - this time taking its in-house engine to the open road. Rise of the Ronin presents a huge landscape to freely explore, all built to suit PS5 as a sole platform target. However even with the dedicated PS5 development, the game's frame-rate has issues on all three of its modes - as Tom covers in detail.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Sponsored by MSI QD OLED00:36 Introduction03:06 Visual Features06:14 PS5 Performance vs Graphics vs Ray Tracing Mode Comparisons10:13 Performance Mode FPS Test11:43 Graphics Mode FPS Test15:10 Ray Tracing Mode FPS Test15:32 Analysis and Conclusion
DF Direct Weekly #155: Marvel 1943, Big FSR 3.1 Upgrades, FF7 Rebirth Perf Mode Patch, PSVR2 on PC! Digital Foundry 2024-03-25 | Rich, John and Alex discuss the stunning Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra debut trailer, potentially big upgrades to FSR via its upcoming 3.1 upgrade, while Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's tweaked performance mode (via a new patch) is analysed. Have image quality concerns finally been addressed? Meanwhile, we attempt to draw a line under the whole PS5 Pro/GTA6 60fps situation, while John shares his experiences with Nvidia's AI-powered Covert Protocol demo. Can AI move beyond upscaling to provide new gameplay experiences?Find DF Direct Weekly as a podcast on your favourite podcast streaming service.Join the DF Supporter Program for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to DF Retro, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: bit.ly/3jEGjvxSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.net0:00:00 Introduction0:00:44 News 01: Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra stuns in debut trailer0:18:56 News 02: AMD announces FSR 3.10:30:52 News 03: Latest PS VR2 update enables PC access0:40:37 News 04: Could GTA 6 hit 60 FPS on PS5 Pro?0:57:46 News 05: Covert Protocol demo shows off AI characters 1:10:17 News 06: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth gets new graphics options1:16:05 Supporter Q1: What should Microsoft and Sony do to differentiate their next-gen hardware?1:36:44 Supporter Q2: Why isn’t Microsoft making more out of their consoles’ machine learning capabilities? 1:43:09 Supporter Q3: Should Sony invest in frame generation? Does PSSR suggest a lack of faith in AMD’s upscaling tech?1:49:24 Supporter Q4: Could backwards compatibility actually hold back Switch 2?
DF Retro Play: Game Boy Classics Revisited - The Audi Sorlie Collection Digital Foundry 2024-03-24 | Audi Sorlie is back and joining John Linneman once again for the second of two Nintendo Game Boy specials. Each of them picks their top three titles for the classic Nintendo handheld, with the other actually playing them! In this instalment, Audi's picks take John into uncharted waters at a stormy 30FPS or lower with Astérix, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Back from the Sewers and Balloon Kid.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies or pullovers? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.net00:00 Introduction00:27 Astérix11:42 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Back from the Sewers22:57 Balloon Kid
Dragons Dogma 2 - PS5/Xbox Series X/S and PC - Digital Foundry Tech Review Digital Foundry 2024-03-22 | Digital Foundry is sponsored by MSI's new range of next-gen QD OLED gaming monitors. Learn more about these displays here: https://msi.gm/QD-OLEDsClick here for your chance to win a MSI 271QRX 360Hz QD OLED (UK only): https://msi.gm/QD-OLED-GiveawayThe Digital Foundry tech review for Dragon's Dogma 2 is here, covering off everything you need to know in terms of image quality, performance, platform comparisons for the consoles along with a closer look at the PC version and just what the issues are that users are highlighting. This is an absolutely phenomenal game - but one that requires some CPU-level optimisations along with an optional 30 frames per second cap on the console builds, and checkerboard bug-fixing on Xbox machines. Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Sponsored by MSI QD OLED00:36 Introduction01:15 Visual Features07:00 Image Quality and Performance on Xbox Series X and PS510:29 Xbox Series S Analysis12:55 PC Overview15:30 PC Performance20:39 PC Wrap-up22:25 Analysis and Conclusion
DF Retro EX: Outcast - The Legacy and A New Beginning [Sponsored] Digital Foundry 2024-03-21 | Sponsored by THQ Nordic. Outcast first launched in 1999 delivering state-of-the-art voxel-driven visuals in what was then a novel open-world design - but its sequel never landed... until now. In this special video, John Linneman tells the story of the original game, its technology and off-shoot projects before concentrating on Outcast: A New Beginning, which finally realises the original developer's vision for a full Outcast sequel.00:00 - Introduction01:40 - Outcast has Returned02:36 - Appeal's First Game - No Respect03:28 - Outcast Arrives05:06 - The Graphics of Outcast08:37 - Outcast 2 for PlayStation 210:29 - The Failed Kickstarter11:21 - Outcast Lives11:57 - The Remake12:53 - A New Beginning - Outcast 2 Exists19:49 - The Visuals of Outcast: A New Beginning22:40 - Wrap-upSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net
Horizon Forbidden West PC vs PS5: Enhanced Features, Performance Tests + Image Quality Boosts! Digital Foundry 2024-03-20 | Digital Foundry is sponsored by MSI's new range of next-gen QD OLED gaming monitors. Learn more about these displays here: https://msi.gm/QD-OLEDsClick here for your chance to win a MSI 271QRX 360Hz QD OLED (UK only): https://msi.gm/QD-OLED-GiveawayPre-launch, Guerrilla Games and PC specialists Nixxes offered us a chance to take a look at Horizon Forbidden West. This game has much to prove in the wake of the difficulties surrounding the Horizon Zero Dawn launch - but early impressions suggest that this is yet another impressive Nixxes effort. Alex takes a look at features, PC enhancements vs PS5, image quality boosts via improved upscaling solutions and checks out performance on mid-range PCs. The recommended specs looked eminently reasonable - so how does the final game shape up?Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.netFor commercial enquiries, please contact business@digitalfoundry.net00:00 Sponsored by MSI QD OLED00:36 Introduction01:57 User Interface + Options04:08 Fast Loading With DirectStorage04:59 Shader Pre-Compilation Implemented!06:15 PC Upgrades vs PlayStation10:44 GPU Performance: RTX 3070 and RTX 2070 Super11:26 8GB GPU VRAM Testing12:46 CPU Performance14:19 Suggested Improvements + Summary
PlayStation 5 Pro Specs Confirmed, Analysis + New Information - A DF Direct Special Digital Foundry 2024-03-19 | Digital Foundry is sponsored by MSI's new range of next-gen QD OLED gaming monitors. Learn more about these displays here: https://msi.gm/QD-OLEDsClick here for your chance to win a MSI 271QRX 360Hz QD OLED (UK only): https://msi.gm/QD-OLED-GiveawayIn a brand new DF Direct Special we find Alex, Rich and Oliver confirming the leaked technical specifications for Sony's upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro console, we talk you through what the various spec points mean in terms of the gameplay experience, we go deep on ray tracing and machine learning-based upscaling and we reveal some new information about the new console based on recent developer disclosures.NOTE: ROG Ally actually uses Zen 4 architecture - not Zen 3 - which makes the point about the lack of perceivable improvement over Steam Deck's Zen 2 even more pertinent.Find DF Direct Weekly as a podcast on your favourite podcast streaming service.Join the DF Supporter Program for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to DF Retro, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: bit.ly/3jEGjvxSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.net0:00:00 Sponsored by MSI QD OLED0:00:36 Introduction0:01:43 The CPU: What's Changed? 0:16:01 GPU Performance Boosts and Architecture0:27:45 Ray Tracing: Really 2x to 4x Faster?0:36:38 PSSR Upscaling and Machine Learning Performance0:46:53 Additional Memory for Games 0:50:16 Closing Thoughts: What Do We Make of PS5 Pro So Far?
DF Direct Weekly #154: Rise of the Ronin PS5 Preview, Stellar Blade, New Nvidia DLSS Reveals Digital Foundry 2024-03-18 | Rich is still trapped in a white room with two plants, but the Direct discussions continue regardless. Oliver's been checking out Rise of the Ronin on PlayStation 5, Alex has much to say about Nvidia's DLSS-based GDC reveals, while Rich is intrigued by Intel's latest PresentMon 2.0 features. Meanwhile, the surprise release - and withdrawal - of the PS5 Stellar Blade demo raises more questions about our digital library future.Find DF Direct Weekly as a podcast on your favourite podcast streaming service.Join the DF Supporter Program for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to DF Retro, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: bit.ly/3jEGjvxSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.net0:00:00 Introduction and DF merchandise0:02:26 News 01: Rise of the Ronin preview0:11:40 News 02: Nvidia announces upcoming game enhancements 0:35:55 News 03: Intel unveils PresentMon 2.0 0:51:08 News 04: Stellar Blade demo released, quickly pulled0:56:48 News 05: Peter Moore questions the future of consoles1:12:11 Supporter Q1: Should console platforms let you impose frame-rate caps yourself?1:19:39 Supporter Q2: What rendering tech will we see pushed after path tracing?1:27:22 Supporter Q3: Should more developers expose debug menus in their games? 1:31:43 Supporter Q4: What storage tech do you work off of?1:39:38 Supporter Q5: What would Digital Foundry have looked like in the 1990s?
DF Retro Play: Game Boy Classics Revisited - The John Linneman Collection Digital Foundry 2024-03-17 | Audi Sorlie is back, joining John Linneman for the first of two Nintendo Game Boy specials. Each of them picks their top three titles for the classic Nintendo handheld, with the other actually playing them! In this first instalment, John's picks are the focus with Castlevania 2: Belmont's Revenge, MegaMan 5 and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening in the frame as his top three games of the entire Game Boy generation.Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribeJoin the DF Patreon to support the team more directly and to get access to everything we do via pristine quality downloads: bit.ly/3jEGjvxWant some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies or pullovers? Check out our store: store.digitalfoundry.net00:00 Intro01:58 Castlevania 2: Belmont's Revenge18:29 MegaMan 531:46 The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
